English

Department Chairperson: Dr. John Dudley
Graduate Director: Dr. Skip Willman

Dakota Hall 212
(605) 677-5229
english@usd.edu
http://www.usd.edu/english

Departmental Faculty

Professors

Emily Haddad, Ph.D., Harvard University. Specialization: 19th-Century British Literature, Modernism, Postcolonial Literature.

Lee Ann Roripaugh, M.F.A., Indiana University. Specialization: Creative Writing (Poetry), 20th-Century American Literature, Asian-American Literature, Contemporary Poetry.

Associate Professors

Edward Allen, Ph.D., Ohio University. Specialization: Creative Writing (Fiction), Contemporary Literature.

James Balakier, Ph.D., Ohio University. Specialization: Renaissance and 18th-Century British Literature, Modernism.

John Dudley, Ph.D., Tulane University. Specialization: 19th- and 20th-Century American Literature and Culture, Realism and Naturalism, Gender Studies, African American Literature.

Dennis Sjolie, Ed.D., University of South Dakota. Specialization: ESL, TESOL, Multicultural Communication, Curriculum Development.

Skip Willman, Ph.D., Indiana University. Specialization: Critical Theory, 20th-Century American Literature.

Assistant Professors

Jason Berger, Ph.D., University of Connecticut, Specialization: Colonial and Antebellum American Literature, American Studies, Critical Theory.

Darlene Farabee, Ph.D., University of Delaware. Specialization: 16th-and 17th-Century British Literature, Shakespeare, Drama and Performance, Early Modern Travel Narratives.

Ronald Ganze, Ph.D., University of Oregon. Specialization: Medieval Literature, Film Studies.

Sarah Townsend, Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley. 20th-century British, Irish, and Anglophone Literature, Postcolonial Theory.

Degrees:

MASTER OF ARTS

Specializations:

Literature
Creative Writing
Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)

DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY

Specializations:

Literary Studies: Critical
Literary Studies: Creative

Program Description

The Master of Arts in English covers the major periods and concepts in British and American literatures since their inception. The degree offers excellent preparation for further graduate study or for employment in any field that values critical thinking, strong writing skills, and research experience. Students design their own course of study, with coursework distributed across a variety of fields. The three degree options available are: M.A. plan A (thesis); M.A. plan B (non–thesis); and J.D./M.A., in conjunction with the School of Law. Students following Plan A may choose to specialize in either Literature or Creative Writing. Students selecting Plan B may specialize in either Literature or TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages).

The Ph.D. program is built around the English Department’s seminar offerings. The program focuses on literature from 1800 to the present. The available specializations are Literary Studies: Critical and Literary Studies: Creative. Most graduates of the English Ph.D. program pursue careers in higher education.

Admission Requirements

MASTER OF ARTS

Completion of a baccalaureate degree in English or its equivalent is required.
An undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or better, based on 4.0 scale, is required.
Required for international students, except those whose primary language is English or who have a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in which English is the language of instruction: a TOEFL score of at least 105 (internet-based test), 620 (paper test) or 260 (computer test) or an IELTS score of at least 7.0.
A 10-15 page sample of critical writing on literature or a related topic is required. Applicants for the creative specialization should also submit a brief sample of creative writing. Preference is given to applicants who demonstrate the ability to excel in critical thinking and writing and whose academic background suggests significant capability in the study of literature (and creative writing, for applicants to that specialization).
A statement of purpose is required.
Subject to departmental approval, those who do not meet all of the criteria above may be admitted on a provisional basis.

DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY

Completion of a Master’s degree in English or its equivalent is required.
An undergraduate and graduate GPA of 3.0 or better, based on 4.0 scale, is required.
The GRE General test is required. There is no minimum score required; the score is considered along with the other application materials.
Required for international students, except those whose primary language is English or who have a Bachelor’s degree from a US-accredited institution in which English is the language of instruction: a TOEFL score of at least 105 (internet-based test), 620 (paper test) or 260 (computer test) or an IELTS score of at least 7.0. There are additional requirements for international students.
A 15-20 page sample of critical writing on literature or a related topic is required. Applicants for the creative specialization must also submit a substantial sample of creative writing. Preference is given to applicants who demonstrate the ability to excel in critical thinking and writing and whose academic background suggests significant capability in the study of literature (and creative writing, for applicants to that specialization).
A statement of purpose is required.

Scholarships

The Department’s major source of financial support for graduate students is the Teaching Assistantship, which is normally offered to students accepted into the Ph.D. program and is available on a competitive basis for students in the M.A. program.